Bashy Metro Madness
Speechless at the incompetent journo’s of today. Interviewer JAMES DAY interviewed Bashy for the Metro’s 60 seconds. It flowed well until he came out with:
“Is music a way out for young black people now, like boxing used to be?“
PAUSE.
Bashy:
There are so many more opportunities out there now for black people, we just need to take them. It’s not like 40 years ago when my mum and dad were growing up. In saying that, there are always going to be people who fall through the cracks
Read the full interview here.
I have had to stop in my tracks to post this. This is not so much a race issue but more of a question from someone uneducated. Actually the more I think about it, it’s almost humorous. A way out of what? A lot of ‘ young black people’ have taken offense to this and has now resulted in a bombard of complaints. Davina from The Voice wrote to the Editor and raised some points on the question in hand, and this was his response.
Hi Davina
Thank you for your email and my apologies if you found the question offensive.It was asked as a short-hand way of raising exactly the questions you ask. The 60secs format is very tight and every word is at a premium. I think you read far too much into very few words.
Surely it is undeniable that employment opportunities for black teenagers have been – and are – limited? Watching Britain’s Got Talent, it was great to see dance acts Diversity and Flawless doing so well. But seeing that, for example, you can’t help but ask why we see so many black faces in music or sport but still so few in, for example, the law, politics, the City, or, indeed journalism.
Bashy certainly didn’t find the question offensive – it fact, it was the one he was most enthusiastic about answering as that was part of the reason we were interviewing him – and took it to heart, providing a long answer – which we sadly didn’t have room to include fully – detailing how his parent’s generation struggled to find the opportunities that are only now opening up to his. It is part of the art of interviewing to give questions that provide the subject an opening to give an interesting answer and Bashy has been working hard to encourage all teenagers – not just black ones – to chase their dreams.
I find that this question is now the subject of a chain complaint – some from people who obviously have not read the entire interview. I find it sad that when Metro interviews someone such as Bashy, the reaction is so negative, with, frankly, the ‘racism’ card being waved so readily. The only possible outcome will be to make minority subject even less likely to be interviewed by our team wary of facing such accusations over seemingly innocent questions.
I considered this a positive interview with a positive role mode. So did Bashy’s team – who have just called to thank me for it and ask me and James Day out to lunch.
regards
Kieran Meeke
Well that’s all well and good. But what are your Thoughts?
One
June 4, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I read this interview this morning and glad I wasn’t the only one who found this question not personally offensive but totally narrow minded! My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I got to that question and reading the response above my eyes nearly fell out again!! How patronising are lines like “Watching Britain’s Got Talent, it was great to see dance acts Diversity and Flawless doing so well.” Im sure Diversity are made up from mixed race, asian and white guys! and then to go on and say “you can’t help but ask why we see so many black faces in music or sport but still so few in, for example, the law, politics, the City, or, indeed journalism.” it just shows that this guy has absolutley no clue.
At the end of the day the paper in question is a free paper of mainly regurgated news from various media outlets but the amount of readers must be massive, I noprmally read it on the train into work basically to pass time (much better to read a book I know!!) and when I got to this particular page and saw Bashy, even though Im not a real fan of his, I thought ok cool some one from that particular scene getting a little more mainstream shine, but even before I read it I expected this type of question. It’s not just a matter of race it’s because the mainstream as a whole does not understand hip hop, rnb, grime,etc as genres of music and therefore it is easy for them to associate this music with ‘black kids from the hood’!!
They were right it was good to see an interview with a positive role model doing positive things, just a shame the interviewer doesn’t know what black people have been doing between boxing and rapping!!
ANON
June 4, 2009 at 4:44 pm
OK so we are all up in arms about a the question – it’s a disgrace blah blah and the answer will that’s terrible blah blah…
and while we are on our high horses about the poor questions from the rag that is the Metro can anyone answer Kieran’s question?
“you can’t help but ask why we see so many black faces in music or sport but still so few in, for example, the law, politics, the city, or, indeed journalism”
Speeakz
June 4, 2009 at 4:57 pm
ANON – step off blad. Come harder than that, I implore you. (look up implore in the dic-tion-ary if you get a tad confused).
Safe.
Speeakz
F.
June 4, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I wrote the Editor of The Metro saying:
I am writing in complaint on a particular question featured in today’s (04/06/09) Metro 60 Second Interview with young artist Bashy.
I am utterly aggravated at James Day’s question “Is music a way out for young black people now, like boxing used to be?’
The question, though odd by all intents and purposes, could have been phrased, so as to minimise it’s offensive overtones. The overwhelming insinuation that the only outlet for young black people is sport or entertainment should surely have never been posed to the interviewee, least of all printed.
This narrow-minded view of black people and our societal input is an utterly archaic stereotype, which in this day and age certainly should not be re-enforced by the likes of The Metro Newspaper group. Perhaps Mr Day should consider that in the first instance not all young black people are in such deprived circumstances that ‘a way out’ in necessary. Further to this, what is meant by ‘a way out’ exactly? There is no clarification or differentiation of the millions of young black people in this country. Such ghettoization of black people is surely on par with racist ideology. Young black people in the UK are statistically more likely to be law- abiding, educated, members of our society. How dare James Day be so patronizing.
James Day must apologise immediately!
This is the response I got from the Editor….
Dear Felicia
Many thanks for your note and I am sorry this interview question offended you.
Bashy used music to make a career path very different to the options available to his parents. His mega-hit Black Boys (lyric below) lists a number of black musicians he admires. This week Diversity were voted No1 on Britain’s Got Talent by the British public but how many of us will be voting for black MEPs or councillors today?
In this context, I thought the question was a fair one. I agree it could have been phrased better but the 60secs format is very tight on space and every word is pared down, particularly in the questions, as the interviewee’s replies are much more important. When you concentrate on the detail like that, you sometimes lose sight of the overall picture, so I am grateful you have highlighted this issue.
Bashy really enjoyed this question as it was exactly the point of the interview for him – to promote openings for teenagers other than the stereotypical ones – and I am sorry if it has been misinterpreted.
It was a positive interview with a positive person and I am sorry if you have come away with a negative impression because of this.
regards
Kieran Meeke
Features Editor
Bashy lyrics:
Look Straight Away, No Lone-Ting. This Is Out To All The Black Boys Growing Up Yeah. There’s Bare Positive Black Boys Around You Makin Movements, Makin Movements Towards Sucess.
Look, Its Like I Love It When I See Rich Black Men Like Diddy And Nelly, But Was Even Happier When I See Dizzie Rascals Gettin Albums Or When He Gets His Face ON The Telly. Personally, When He Won His Mercury, I Thought Well Done. He’s A Black Boy Whos Just Like Me So Like, His Respect Is Due Certainly.
And Hold Tight Kano, I Dont Know Him, But i Thought Ok Though, That’s Good For Him, Another Black Boy That’s Gonna Make Do Through Lethal.
Hang Tight Lethal, He Did His Power When He Brought IN A Few More Black People. I Raved At Kylie, Thats Why, No Matter What We Had I Still Got To Shout Out Wiley. He Built A Scene. Amongst Us Black Young Boys He Built A Dream, Like Mega-Man Did With So Solid. See That Crew Right There We Owe Hummage. When They Won The Brits
One
June 4, 2009 at 5:07 pm
@Anon because sport and music are in the media spotlight whereas law, banking,etc are not, it is that simple.
One
June 4, 2009 at 5:15 pm
My god! just read F.’s post does this editor see ’street dance’ and just associate that with black people, again Diversity were made up from mixed race, asian and white guys as far as I could see, but yet the Editor holds up them as the only example. He quotes Bashy’s lyrics in which he names numerous black people in different fields surprisingly not just boxing and rap! Yes the interview was short, but why ask the question and why assume that every black child has to find a ‘way out’, life it what you make it whether your black, white, asian,etc chase and follow the dream and you will get there regardless, others will disagree but that is my belief!
Will
June 4, 2009 at 5:19 pm
In answer to Anon
I am a white dude from south london. 2 of my 5 closest mates are black. Ones an architect, the other an accountant for a merchant bank in the city. One of the other three is white and middle class, he sells drugs.
TheRealAnon
June 4, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Your all forgeting the important point here. The ‘elephant in the room’ if you will.
Ask your seniors about how many opportunities there were for Black folk in the 50’s – 80’s etc.
There werent many, and even today, sometimes having the wrong name/skin can hinder you getting employment/education/ a career.
It was always easier to be successful in sport and music, and still is. We only just got a mixed race President for F’s sake.
When do you think there will be a Black Prime Minister? Exactly, so step off the man.
Your all mad at the fact that its still not easy to be all you can be if your Black, it has nothing to do with the ‘input’ of Black People.
It makes it look like you guys can’t read and understand a simple short sentence. It smacks of ignorance and is even more damaging for Black people.
Yes, I am black.
Facebook: Aitch Anibaba.
Peace.
I apologise if I seem patronising, but its about what is rational not what is reasonable.
ANON
June 4, 2009 at 5:28 pm
^^^POOR YOU. AND YOUR CHILDREN.
TheRealAnon
June 4, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Awesome response ANON, very intelligent(!)
Im not whining about me, Im alright, I just empathise for other Black people. If you think racism doesnt hold people back still then your deluded, and I would save your sarcastic pity for your self.
ANON
June 4, 2009 at 5:38 pm
this is not in response to you whining about yourself,i’m talking in refrenece to your poor attitude. Racism is alive and fucking kicking you don’t have to tell me
One
June 4, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Aitch part of my problem with this question and others that are often asked by the media to of artists of certain genres such as Hip Hop, grime,etc whether they be black, white, whatever is that they are often narrow minded and uneducated, still to this day with hip hop music and culture dominating modern society people in general still have a very setreotypical view of hip hop and instead of carrying out their research like good journalists should do, will make the same assumptions and therefore ask the same unfounded questions. I know this will not change but it still annoys me when they are asked.
And yes there were less opptunities for black people in days gone by, but how many years did it take for a black man to get into a football team or the national team, etc. Times change and more opptunities will open up to not just people classed as a minority but those from less forutnate backgrounds too.
Shenanigan
June 4, 2009 at 5:51 pm
the unfortunate thing as long as you (the real anon) think like that, that is how it will always be. Let’s stay postive and teach our children that although there will be hardships, birdges etc. that they can still achieve!
J-den
June 4, 2009 at 6:06 pm
hmmm.. whats going to be in the big brother mix 2nite. scots man, an irish man and english man(black or white).
racism should be dead! but black people, do their upmost to keep it alive.
EboHero
June 4, 2009 at 6:22 pm
“It was always easier to be successful in sport and music, and still is. We only just got a mixed race President for F’s sake.”
You say that like its our duty to have mixed race/”black” president….its america!
that comment just undermines the authority of all the other black presidents and chancellors of all the other countries eg Ghana, Nigeria…yikes do i dare say all of Africa?…..
that comment alone insinuates we have no Lawyers, Architects, Doctors, Teachers in our culture..
just because racism and stereotypical ideas are still very much cemented in todays media outlets doesnt mean u just sit back and shrug your shoulders…thats a pathetic defeatest attitude..never mind selfish and ignorant…how do you expect any of our future generations to ever have a chance of living in true equality?
“little” questions such as this, whether it was worded intentionally or whether it was due to niavety just shows that theres still a way to go so unless we make a point of highlighting thier slips it will remain okay.
we aren’t disputing the fact there were less oppourtunities BACK THEN…the problems is the fact it implies black people still need to escape (poverty,drugs,crime) and that we can only aim for success in entertainment or sport as our brains are oviously not built for prolonged application.
Aitch, you disappoint me.
Shenanigan
June 4, 2009 at 6:33 pm
@EBOHERO ur my hero
newsychick
June 4, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I read that interview this morning, much like many of yourselves and felt exactly as ONE – not personally offensive but totally narrow minded.
Thing is though, I ended up shrugging it off as ‘typical mainstream slack journalism’, and sadly, thought no more of it, didn’t write in to complain and left it like that. Thinking about it now, I agree that if we don’t highlight these issues with editors and journos, the situation won’t improve.
Well done to those who did, even if it is seen as an over-reaction.
M
June 4, 2009 at 10:50 pm
To the person who left comment no.2 aka ‘Anon’ – for your information I am a journalist and I know many black and asian journalists in regional, national and ethnic minority publications. I take it you have never read any of the ‘most influnential black people’ lists that have been printed in the New Nation or The Voice and in recent years The Guardian. There are hundreds of professional black people out there, they are just not exposed because they are not celebrites, bloody footballers or wags!
I don’t think people are over reacting the point here is: subtext. Read the subtext people! Yet again, we have an example of a white person who ‘thinks’ they understand the black experience and really they don’t know shit!
I hate it when people assume that black people spend all their time calculating and plotting exactly how we can play the race card today. Believe it or not most black people don’t like playing the race card and call it naivity but many of us would like to believe that we do actually live in a meritocracy.
There is an elephant in the room and yes it’s called racism. It’s may not be the same racism as experienced by our forefathers but it’s racism nonetheless. Infact this 21st century version of racism may be worst because it’s sly, underhanded, sinister and suggested.
illsun
June 4, 2009 at 11:15 pm
I was pleased that Bashy got some mainstream attention but the question was definitely poor and very narrow minded. Christ what was the guy thinking? Then for his editor to try and back it by saying Bashy liked the question is ridiculous – he was I expect at the end of the phone having questions barked at him and was trying to do a good job of answering them and promote his album. He gave an eloquent answer but that doesn’t mean he agrees with the sentiment of the question.
As a complete aside can I also say that I am weirdly impressed by Kieran from the Metro firstly that he is happy to defend an almost ridiculous position but also that he has taken the time to try and argue the points. Most publications, websites etc would have buried their heads in the sand and hoped it would go away. He’s still wrong but at least he tried to articulate his point in a decent and fairly respectful manner by replying to people.
UK NEWS: THE METRO FEATURES EDITOR RESPONDS TO BASHY CRITICISM / THREATENS TO BAN INTERVIEWS WITH ‘MINORITY SUBJECTS’ « MAD NEWS
June 4, 2009 at 11:48 pm
[...] be interviewed by our team wary of facing such accusations over seemingly innocent questions. Click here to read full [...]
cheeks
June 4, 2009 at 11:49 pm
There are so many things wrong with that editors response. No matter how nice u dress it up
Anonymous
June 4, 2009 at 10:05 am
Great to see some sort of debate on something deeply relevant, beats the usual Lil wayne/ Kanye wankathon you usually have on here.
Akeem
June 4, 2009 at 11:25 am
Silly question indeed, almost suggesting black people have not made an enormous development in general over the last couple of decades. However, it does raise the issue that it seems people are content in seeing us as a people shining as pop stars and what not but when it comes to politics and other high earning professions we are so little in number that we are almost not taken seriously.
I am a young black man doing my A-levels and i want to be a journalist eventually when i graduate from Uni, but it seems that we are not really wanted in certain circles. Perhaps because we are a threat, i don’t know , but i am most defiantly not concerned about what people feel i should be doing and am only interested in what i am doing.
Akeem
June 4, 2009 at 11:28 am
Me agen did any1 spot the whole ‘SWORDFISH’ bit , as opposed to salt fish?
johnsmith
June 4, 2009 at 11:48 am
the question is fair enough
black musicians particularly mc’s are always talking about being on the grind in their lyrics
so what is the issue
J
June 4, 2009 at 12:26 pm
^^^Youre an idiot.
cheeks
June 4, 2009 at 2:35 pm
The question was not asked if grime mc saw music as a way out. That would be a different question. More or less the whole point of the whole post u IDDD!
John Henry
June 4, 2009 at 3:29 pm
The question is entirely anachronistic in this day and age and Bashy and his team should be called on their failure to acknowledge its inappropriate inferences. Granted he has an LP to promote but get blinded by the lights cuz. The most alarming thing here is the Editors vain attempt to defend the promotion of a hackneyed and antiquated view that careers in entertainment and sport are the exclusive routes to upward mobility for young men of colour. This gentleman clearly believes this and fascinatingly does not see a problem with influencing the Metro readership to subscribe to this view. This may appear innocuous but is in fact pure poison once at home in the mind of the reader. There will undoubtedly be those that characterised this as simply harmless ignorance but the reality is that although unpopular, this is a widely held view amongst the majority of middle England. The only way to dismantle this kind if thinking is not to rage and cuss but raise the public profile (on forums such as these) of the many black and asian barristers, architects, bankers, entrepreneurs and other non sport/entertainment media professions. Here are a few to get you started: David Adjaye award wining architect, Tidjane Thiam CEO of Prudential one of Britain’s largest Insurance companies and the first black CEO of a FSTE 100 company, Balbir Singh highest-paid criminal barrister in the country. Oh and none of them sing or dance I’m afraid sorry, does this render them un-news or blog worthy? hmm probably…
shANON
June 4, 2009 at 3:57 pm
okay…I am so saddened when think of the society we live in. Why is it race has to be put into every situation where things are going bad? (knife crime/ truancy just to name a few problems race has been linked to)
I find what the journalist said to be offensive, the obvious reason being why everyone else has bene offended by it, but also by suggesting that bashy only inspires black youths.. I am of asian origin and it angers me to think that the journalist has pigeon holed Bashy…he inspires all- race got nothing to do with it!
when people bring race into the scenario they are just thinking of excuses…victimisation and labelling plays such a big part in this, and we have to stop and think before we go and label someone.
The metro have taken an easy way out by trying to say ‘how many black high achievers do you see?’ well…I see alot! and anyway, that is besides the point.
Bashy has been making movements, and although the metro doing this was v supportive- has it helped him in anyway but spark a race debate?
I am also saddened by hearing a flatmate say that Black history Month should not be celebrated, and if such thing as White History month was done then it would be racist. What kind of world do we live in where we are unable to follow our own beliefs and celebrate our own events without being compared to another race? Why must you create such allegations without even having any proof to back it up?
With the voting done yesterday, I hope so much that the bnp have not gained a seat.
I seriously worry about the world I live in sometimes…just makes u think …shANON x
johnsmith
June 4, 2009 at 7:00 pm
black people always play the racism card when nobody else really gives a shit
shANON
June 4, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Johnsmith..
thats a dumb arse contribution to this debate…thats untrue. and like i said above, no proof=no say
shANON x
TheRealAnon
June 4, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Wow. I have read all of the above comments, and on reflection I can see the parts where I feel my view was incorrect.
I now see his question as offensive due to the subtext and the assumptions made by the journalist.
Racism is still an issue, black people do need to be positive and go for their dreams no matter how hard or what obstacles are in the way. We are encouraged to not use the race card, and I am guilty of being ignorant to sly racism/ignorance. I can see why Bashy would not want to say anything, as he wants to sell records, and the majority of people who buy ‘black music’ are not black and may be offended (even if it is wrong to be offended).
I apologise to anyone I offended, and thank you for helping me review my own thoughts etc.
Debate is important, arguing for the sake of arguing is not.
Peace.
Aitch
J
June 4, 2009 at 11:16 am
Surely the answer to this question is “Yes, music is a way out but not just for black children.” The question did not ask if music was THE way out just A way out. I do understand that the phrase “way out” suggests some sort of substandard existence but I think we’re all accepting that a degree of inequality still exists. I personally have no problem with the question but I have a problem with the editor’s remarks, which I don’t necessarily think are indicative of what the interviewer thought, about there being so many little black lawyers and accountants therefore suggesting music is THE only way out of some terrible situation that black people are in.
J
June 4, 2009 at 11:18 am
* Sorry, I meant “so few black lawyers”.
QUINSTER
June 4, 2009 at 9:31 am
Oh My Days I Read This!! xD
I was flowing along nicely, but then the way they dropped in the question was ODD.
He answered it well, but how RANDOM.
That’s why people might label it racist – it was very unexpected.
So now it’s all well and good for Kieran Meeke to deffend and justify – but has he dug himself a deeper hole?
Hmmmz… =P
Anyway I don’t take it too serious – it didn’t completely spoil the interview, I feel.
natty bongo
June 4, 2009 at 12:19 am
i am eating a magnum ice cream and scratching my balls
DMAC
June 4, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Kind of reminds me of that same tired old shit football pundits spout about black players. They are always very quick and physically strong, but never intelligent. Kinda grates on me…..
PeterMontee
June 4, 2009 at 11:53 pm
It is remarkable, very valuable phrase